Unmei Force Solitary Legends: Eternal Embers
Chapter 1: Entrance Exams, and Start of Class G-7
Responses to reviews:
-You do raise a good point about the militia, although I also have no clue about that plot hole or tangled mess of exposition. I'll just suppose that it's a royal law as stated, which came back to bite the asses of the nobles. But don't forget that Squad 7 has plans to deal with the civil war themselves, thanks to a little help from Cordelia and Richard's persuasion.
-That's right, as you can see, Juliana is still fairly haughty and arrogant, but she's not too blindingly incessant, and just resorts to mild insults, and prefers for others to show, not tell. As for his skill... Well, she'll still be quite a badass, considering that as a fencer, she's damn powerful. However, I'll give you a hint on future plot points... Take a guess who Richard's star pupil will be, it should be obvious considering some similarities...
A few days later, at the entrance of Lanseal Academy...
As the day of the entrance exams finally arrives, Elma, Isara and Corrin were huddled together in front of the campus gates, as the entire area was much more packed with applicants eager to participate in the entrance exams.
"I'm still fairly nervous about participating in the entrance exams..." Elma answered back with a concerned tone. "What if we fail...? Then what will Ri- Rain and the others do, if that happens?"
"It's best not to think about the consequences of failure, but the prospect of success." Corrin assured Elma. "Rain gave us a general revision over what will be examined upon in the written portions of the exam, and they all helped us prepare for it within a few cram sessions."
"If it'll help, I'll keep on revising with you all, about the general subjects and the history of Gallia." Isara told the others. "That way, the knowledge will be fresh in your mind."
"Thank you, Isara, but I'm used to being pressured to learn. I'm certain that I'll pass the written portion of the exams." Corrin answered back with a smile. "Still, I'm glad that you offered. You could help Elma out if you wish."
"I... I'll do my best. Even if there is a lot I need to learn, I can still do it..." Elma answered back, before putting on an determined expression.
As the trio conversed with each other, Corrin noticed a individual that stuck out in the crowd, as it was a young boy looking like he was filled with passion and spirit, with spiked and short brown hair and brown eyes, and dressed in a white shirt with worn beige army britches, and brown shoes. He looked around, before he then did a determined gesture, before continuing through the crowd. Corrin took note of the individual, as he emitted a kind of energy that seemed to make him look interesting in her eyes.
Soon, the gates were opened, as the crowd of applicants were filed one by one into the main campus, before they were guided into the dressing rooms, to change into the school uniform. As the three of them took their time to change, they soon came out to find themselves in mostly identical uniforms, all fitting for their sizes, as it was a blue buttoned blazer with yellow rope shoulder-pads, one of them connected to a hook in front of the centre of the chest, and the Lanseal emblem over the left breast, a red plaid short skirt, long black stocking, and brown shoes. The three of them took a moment to familiarise themselves to the general feeling of wearing the uniform. before they were sorted into their respective venues for the written exams with the rest of the applicants.
As they walked, they took the moment to converse amongst with each other a little more, regarding their uniform.
"This uniform is fairly snug to be in, is it not?" Corrin asked the other two.
"Indeed." Isara answered back. "I take it that you're happy with wearing this uniform, right, Elma?"
"Mm." Elma muttered back meekly.
The three were then sorted into the same classroom for the written exam, as they seemed to be fairly separated from each other, although Isara exchanged some extra notes for them to take a look through, before the written exam begins. Elma poured herself on revising her current knowledge against Isara's notes, looking fairly determined, with a adorable pout on her lips. Corrin herself, who was far more confident about her knowledge, looked around to see if there was anything else that would interest her. As she did, she came across the same boy she saw by the gates, as he took a seat beside her. She didn't say anything, as the brown-haired boy was already pulling out his notes, and going over them, although he had trouble with it, as evident from his frustrated expression.
Corrin then notices that there was also someone else coming over towards her direction, as it was a young girl with blonde hair and blue eyes, wearing a pink hair-band with a clover-like attachment on one side. The girl walked up to the boy, before bending forward to address him.
"Hey, is this seat taken?" She asked gently, as the boy stopped revising for a moment to face her, seeing the gentle smile on her face.
"Nope, all yours." The brown-haired boy answered back, as the girl took her seat on the other table besides him. "Hey, so uh... My name's Avan. Nice to meet you."
"Oh, uh, hi!" The girl answered back cheerfully. "My name's Cosette, Avan. It's really nice to meet you. And thanks for the seat!"
"Hey, anytime!" Avan grinned back, pulling out a thumbs-up.
'Avan and Cosette, huh...' Corrin thought to herself, before she then smiled gently. 'They seem like good people at their age... It would be nice to start making friends with them first...'
However, her thoughts were interrupted, when she heard the sound of a throat being cleared, as it came from the dark-haired person in front of Avan, who turned back to glare at both him and Cosette with unamused grey eyes behind his glasses.
"I'm trying to concentrate, if you don't mind." He told them firmly, before adjusting his glasses while looking at them. "You're not the only ones trying to take a test here. Quiet down."
"Ooh, right. Sorry. I'll be super quiet." Cosette apologised, before she then took a deep breath, and covered her mouth with both of her hands.
Avan took offence to that, as he stood up, looking quite miffed. "What's your problem, man? You don't have to be all rude about it!" He answered back. "C'mon, we're all in this together. We should be supportive here."
The dark-haired boy stood up, before facing Avan with a scoff. "Supportive? Look, I came here because I was scouted." He responded. "Thanks, but I don't need support from a starry-eyed applicant."
"What!?" Avan shouted back, even more offended by those words.
Corrin noticed that Cosette was about to burst, as her cheeks were turning red, as she took action before Cosette would suffocate herself. She gently pulled Cosette's hands off, allowing the blonde girl to breathe freely again.
"I don't think that trying to suffocate yourself is a good way to keep yourself quiet. He didn't want you to take it that far." Corrin scolded Cosette slightly with a stern expression. "I appreciate what you're trying to do, but you're only making things worse by trying to hold your breath for a simple matter like that."
"Sorry... I was just trying so hard. I... Phew..." Cosette huffed, taking her time to get some air into her lungs again, as Avan and the dark-haired boy looked at her and Corrin briefly.
"Wha-? How did that seem like a good idea to you!?" Avan asked, appalled at what Cosette was trying.
"Ugh, it's like a train-wreck. I don't want to stare, but-" The dark-haired boy remarked with a sigh.
Avan shoved him back a little. "Hey! She was only doing it because of your jerk comment!" He yelled back, before he was shoved back in turn.
"I don't recall asking her to asphyxiate. Though it's sounding more appealing-" The dark-haired boy was about to answer back, moving closer to Avan, before they were pulled apart by Corrin, who had enough of the bickering.
"That's enough, both of you. You're making a ruckus right now, more than it should have been. Avan, he is fairly right when he said that he merely wanted her to quiet down, however rudely he puts it. Cosette was overreacting over a simple matter, so he's not fully to blame." Corrin scolded both of them, first Avan, then turning to the other boy. "And you, don't try to aggravate people by throwing such wording around. Nobody deserves to be asphyxiated, no matter the circumstances. You too are escalating this matter to a boiling point, so please calm down."
"Tch. Fine." The boy answered back, before he then turned away, and sat back down to continue revising.
"Woah, you laid that upon him." Avan remarked with awe. "Jerk deserved it. Who are you, anyway? I noticed you beside me, but you didn't seem that interested in talking with me, so I didn't want to bother you."
"Oh, did you get that impression of me. My apologies on that then." Corrin answered back. "My name is Karin Novengar. I'm one of the people aspiring to learn here. I was interested when I saw you, considering the spirit you were showing while by the gates. I'm fairly lucky to encounter you here as well."
"Well, I'm glad to have you here then, Karin. We'll be friends quite quick." Avan chuckled.
"That we will." Karin smiled back. "I suggest you continue revising. Who knows if the few moments more spent revising could end up being the difference between passing and failing the written exams."
"Yikes! A good point there!" Avan stated, before the both of them went back to revising.
As the exam was being prepared, Isara could hear certain whispers from her side, as she was a few seats away from the dark-haired boy, who was in the same row as her, as she felt that they were directed at her as much as they were directed at him.
"Hey, look at that girl over there, and that guy here... With dark blue hair... Those are Darcsens, yeah?" One of the voices stated
"Ugh, are they even allowed in here? So much for high standards." Another of the voices groaned.
Upon hearing those derogatory comments, a few unpleasant memories surfaced in Isara's head, as she merely sighed deeply, trying to not let those words get to her, instead focusing on learning.
"The test will begin now. I'll begin by passing out your question booklets." The teacher stationed in the room, declared, as she did so row by row.
As the test passed, everyone was working hard, especially Isara, who breezed through the questions quite easily, considering that her genius intellect guaranteed her a incredible score on the written test. Corrin and Isara were faring a lot less well, as Corrin was able to answer most of the questions with confidence, while Elma had to make a few narrow guesses for several parts of the test. However, it seemed to be better than Avan at least, who was frustrated most of the time, rubbing his hair furiously.
When the bell to indicate the end of the examination, the answer sheers for the exam was collected, before they were told to continue onto the drill grounds for the field exam portion. Everyone left the room in an order, like they have entered it earlier.
"How did you think you two went?" Isara asked the two of them.
"Fairly well. How about you, Elma?" Corrin asked the young demoness.
"I think that I at least passed the written test, but I don't think that I did as well as you two, and I won't get a noticeably good score..." Elma stated.
"Cheer up, if you passed, that's all that matters. If you do well, that's all the better." Isara comforted Elma, who smiled a little hearing those words.
On the drilling grounds...
Richard and the rest of his group were helping to prepare the field exam in the drill grounds, as they were back in their old Gallian militia uniform. Their gear was training weapons, which were meant to be used in the field exams to minimise injury and causalities in the mock battles. The only one who had a different weapon than they had originally, was Sanae, who opted to use the newly-made line of engineer pistols, as the side-arm was in her hands, as she examined it.
"Huh... this side-arm is pretty nice, for something that's meant for secondary combat use." Sanae remarked. "I can see why engineers nowadays carry these for better combat efficiency."
"Well, hope you all didn't get too used to using our respective super-weapons." Richard answered back, holding a Mags-1 in his hands. "We can't use them here for obvious reasons."
"I'd never thought I would be carrying this damn thing around again." Marisa remarked, holding the full length of the anti-tank lance in her arm. "Say, why participate in the drill exercises anyway?"
"To show them what a real challenge is. If they can't surpass us in a 3 vs.1 scenario, then they're not ready to fight." Richard answered back. "It's already fair enough odds against them."
"Not for me." Reisen answered back, as she was holding her GSR-1 at the ready. "Any team that is pitted against me is unlikely to pass at all."
"Well, well, it seems that a few old faces return." Rodriguez answered back, approaching the group, looking mostly the same as he did, back when they were in Squad 7. "Long time no see, you magnificent bastards."
"We're only magnificent, because of your teachings, Sergeant Calvaro." Gus answered back in a humble manner.
"Glad to see that you're still fighting the good fight in teaching the generations how to really fight an war." Richard smirked. "So then... the field exams are about to begin?"
"That's right. You five better not disappoint me, by letting too many pass through you all." Rodriguez answered back. "I want to see these fresh maggots drip sweat and tears by the time they're through your own personal brands of hell. If they pass, they've got what it takes to keep on rising like you all."
"Don't worry... You forget what we're famous for..." Richard smirked maliciously, cocking his weapon as a threatening gesture, before the team separated into their respective fields.
Meanwhile, Rodriguez was already making his way towards the gathered applicants, who were already in battle uniform, with Isara, Elma and Corrin amongst them all.
"Alright, all of you. Listen up and listen well!" Rodriguez bellowed on top of his voice to the crowd of applicants. "I'm Drill Sergeant Rodriguez. That's sir to all of you! I'm the proctor for your field exam! You will form teams of three and participate in simulated combat amongst each other in a free-for-all in various areas that have been modelled after certain battlefields! Some of you will find yourselves unlucky enough to be placed against a duel against one of the legendary members of Squad 7. They'll play fair and nice for those who are, but they'll still be happy to cap you and sent you flying back covered in paint and bruises! So you better do well against them, because your performance against them will be evaluated the same!"
The applicants murmured amongst each other, as Corrin could see that the dark-haired boy from earlier, was fairly surprised to hear about what the drill sergeant said, before he then returned back to his stoic facade. Avan, however, was quite pumped up to hear that, as if he was expecting to be pitted against any of Richard's teammates.
"Alright, now you know what's going to happen, time for the teams to be announced!" Rodrigeuz remarked. "Calvin Dister..."
Rodriguez then called out the teams one by one, as the crowd of waiting applicants diminished over time, as the teams that were being assigned to the battlefields where the special trials were, either were eager to try their hand against Richard and the others, or were either complaining about being given such a hard task, or even afraid of facing the legendary members of Squad 7.
Eventually, it was finally time for Rodriguez to call upon the female trio. "Isara Gunther! Karin Novengar! Elma Delacour! You are team A-30! Your battlefield will be number 2!" He declared their names. "If you are ready to begin, step forward, and claim your weapons from the weapon racks on the way!"
"Yes... Yes sir!" Elma exclaimed with a fumbling salute, before the three of them made their way to the weapon rack, which looked fairly different, as there was no sniper rifles inside the racks, but there was new additions to the variety of weapons, as there were sets of pick-axe like weapons, which had a wrench head connected under the back-side of the weapon, and large shields that had a slitted part to see through, and small hand-guns like the one Sanae was holding earlier. All of the weapons were either blunted, regarding the pick-axes, or were loaded with non-lethal riot rounds.
"What is all of this...?" Corrin asked, as she picked up a submachine-gun, examining it closely. "I have seen this kind of weaponry before, but it's the first time that I have used one before... Isara, do you have any clue as to what those pick-axe weapons are?"
"They're war-picks, a new brand of weaponry that has been in production ever since after the war against the Empire." Isara explained, as she picked up one of the mentioned weapons, holding it in her arms. "They belong to a new soldier class, called the Armored Techs. I would be happy that there was a way for viable melee combat in these hard times... But it also infuriates me that the engineers here are not taught the full duties of what the engineers in the militia have. It's half and half for both them and armored techs. So to speak... Engineers take care of maintaining the condition of both men and vehicles, as well as resupplying, and Armored Techs is the more technical task of laying and disarming mines, as well as creating covers made of sandbags."
"Do... Do we really have to fight like this?" Elma asked back, quite reluctant towards the notion of hurting others, even if it was a simulation.
"Sorry, Elma, but we have to fight. It's either that or fail, and I won't let the latter happen. You don't need to fight if you don't have too, but-" Corrin stated.
"No, I know what you mean, Karin." Elma answered back. "I'll fight, but if I will, then I'll use something that will not deal too much harm to others."
"If you're worried about that, then take a pistol, Elma." Isara suggested, handing the pistol into Elma's hand, as she held it. "It might not be too powerful, but it's quite accurate, which means a good shot to the head will knock the person out cold."
"...I don't know if I'm going to be that good with shooting it..." Elma admitted her own worries.
"Don't worry." Isara stated, before she then took a training war-pick and a large shield. "I'll make sure to cover you as an Armored Tech. Although it might be a demanding task, I think that I would fit well in the role, with my protective attitude and my expertise with mechanisms."
"I suppose that I'll stick to what I know." Corrin added, as she took a training war-pick and shield also. "I have been trained before to wield axe-like weapons before, when I was far younger. Although it's not comparable to how well I do with swords... It will do sufficient to triumph against most opponents here. And the shield will prove useful in blocking enemy fire."
"Just stay behind us both, and we'll cover while you shoot, Elma." Isara assured Elma with a smile. "You can take as long as you need to train yourself to shoot."
"Isara... Karin... Thank you... Thank you both so much." Elma spoke with a moved tone.
The order for the teams to move to their respective bases was then announced to all participants, as they all did so, all while announcing that capturing at least a single base, and defeating a certain number of participants between the entire team, are the two conditions for passing the normal field tests.
Corrin and Isara went in front of Elma, as they had their shields raised up, while Elma took the moment to disengage the safety on her weapon, as she knew that she was going to be using it anytime soon, although the action still made her nervous, considering her pacifistic nature. However, she tried her best to steel herself, so that she wouldn't hesitate when the enemy was right before her.
Corrin and Isara moved forward separately, carefully scanning the surrounding for the other combatants, and ensuring that none of them got a clear shot where they were exposed in the back. Elma huddled behind the sandbag line in front of the team's base, hoping for Isara and Corrin to spot the enemy first, before she would assist with her hand-gun, if they were within reasonable range from her position.
Corrin quickly found one of the classmates, who was a shocktrooper, as he was waiting for Corrin to advance, before he rose up and fired his sub-machine gun. However, Corrin predicted the attack, as she raised her shield, and advanced slowly, while deflecting the gunfire with her shield. When he wasted his entire clip and tried to reload instead of making distance from Corrin, she used that chance to bean him in the face with the front end of the war-pick, knocking him out with a single blow, and a red mark where the business end of the weapon hit him.
One of his teammates noticed his ally fall, as he popped out of the sandbag cover he was hiding behind, and fired a few shots at Corrin, who turned to block the shots. Unlike his teammate, this student actually attacked from a reasonable range, out of range from her while he reloaded, before then fired at her again. However, at the same time, Isara flanked him from below, rushing up, and smacking the sandbags away with a quick sweep of her war-pick, leaving him exposed.
"Now, Elma! Go up and take the shot!" Isara shouted to Elma, who hopped out of cover, and made her way to the frontmost part of cover, while Isara blocked the student's line of fire towards her, ensuring that Elma made it to the cover safely.
The student tried to fire at Isara, managing to score a shot on her leg, which made the Darcsen girl wince slightly in pain. However, Elma was already in position, as she lined her sights onto her gun, aiming for the head of the occupied student, before then easing the trigger gently to fire a shot that made the gun buck slightly in her loose grip, and landed against the side of the student's head, dazing him, as Isara twirled her war-pick around, and slammed it right into the abdomen, knocking him unconscious like his partner.
The third and final member of the team tried to push back the trio, by throwing a training grenade, which was built to only create a massive burst of air when detonated, at them. However, Corrin noticed the grenade arcing towards her, as she used her shield to bat it back right towards the sender, with the grenade exploding in close proximity and knocking him out as well.
Isara and Corrin gave the honours of claiming the base to Elma, who slowly made her way up, unsure if there was any more enemies nearby, She then made her way to the flag-pole of the base, before pulling down the enemy team's flag, and replacing it with their own, as it flew clearly for everyone to see.
They then made their way to the next area of the battlefield, as it was a new area, this time littered with large shipping crates to hide behind, as well as sandbag lines to take cover behind. When they made their way towards the area, they heard the sound of a battle occurring inside of it. Knowing that it would be better to wait for the battle to conclude itself before advancing, Isara and Corrin created a barrier with their shields side-to-side, as Elma reached forward over the gap between them, with her gun out to shoot anyone approaching, creating a ranged phalanx formation with Elma's handgun.
The sounds of battle died off, as they heard footsteps receding away from them, indicating that they were able to advance safely. They disengaged their three-man formation, before Corrin led the group forward, turning corners and sweeping the area with her shield to block any stray shots. They soon made their way to the camp, where there was a lone defender, as the rest of his team, as well as the opposing team, was already unconscious from the prior battle.
The sole defender noticed the trio approaching him, as he knew that he stood no chance against them, considering that Isara and Corrin had shields to cover themselves and each other, and Elma was already slipped into cover. He immediately raised his hands in surrender, dropping his weapon, hoping that he would be spared from a painful elimination. Corrin did fulfil that request, giving him a precise chop to the neck with the war-axe, that blissfully knocked him out with a lot less pain than he expected.
Isara then claimed the camp as their own, just as Rodriguez stepped onto the field, holding a sub-machine gun himself, in case any of the applicants had the funny idea of trying to shoot him while he was evaluating the teams.
"Right, that's two bases taken for you, Team A-30." Rodriguez announced their results. "All of you at least knocked out a single participant each, so you have passed the entrance exam in this field. You have also all passed the written exams with the respective grades: Isara Gunther, Scholarship. Karin Novengar, High Distinction. Elma Delacour, Distinction. With these results, you are all induced as students of Lanseal Academy."
"We did it!" Elma exclaimed with joy.
"We may have done little, but the fact that we passed... It is a good thing." Corrin added. "Thank you for helping us, Isara."
"Don't be so modest. You helped me out as well. We all worked to pass this field exam, so we should all take credit for it." Isara answered back.
"If you girls are done talking, it's time for you to take your aptitude screening." Rodriguez stated, before gesturing for the three of them to follow him. "Come with me."
The group then followed him, as well as the rest of the applicants to the venue where the aptitude screening would be performed.
Inside the assembly hall...
The large hall has been arranged to have several booths where the aptitude screening would be done, as there were large scanner gates, which had several components glowing with a bright azure blue colour, operated by tech specialists, who were recording certain details inside their notepads for record-keeping. Everyone was arranged in lines, being called forth one at a time for each gate.
"So... what is that blue glow on the gates...?" Elma asked Isara, hoping for a explanation about it. "Do you know anything about it, Isara?"
"Of course, that's just the natural glow of ragnite. It's a kind of ore that is used to power a lot of things, both military and civilian." Isara explained. "Although, I do wonder what the applications of ragnite to these devices are for... Is it used to analyse our physique to see what kind of class would fit us...? I remember that I've never done this back when I was enrolled as a engineer for Squad 7..."
"Indeed... something about this substance... resonates with me." Corrin remarked.
The three of them were called upon on their respective lines, as they separated from each other temporarily, to enter the scanner gates, as the device hummed to life, with the machine printing results for the specialists operating them. In particular, the specialist with Elma was quite surprised with the results that came out from the device scanning her, barely able to hide his shock, before he then left for somewhere in a hurry, but not before passing the relevant results to another specialist. Corrin was also notable, as the specialist working with her, raised an intrigued eyebrow at her results, before then telling her to proceed.
The girls then met up again, after their aptitude had been tested, and their ideal classes were given to them. On the way, they did encounter the same trio of Avan, Cosette and the dark-haired boy.
"I did it, Avan! I got placed as a engineer!" Cosette exclaimed with joy.
"Is this what you wanted?" Avan asked back.
"Yeah! I want to be a doctor, someday." Cosette answered back.
"Wow, that's pretty impressive." Avan nodded, before turning to the dark-haired boy. "What did you get, Zeri?"
"I placed as a shocktrooper. And you?" Zeri asked back.
" I'm not really sure. They told me I could be any unit class I wanted." Avan declared cheerfully.
"Oh, does that mean you have an aptitude for all of them? That's amazing!" Cosette answered back, impressed by his words.
"That, or an equal lack of aptitude for any of them." Zeri coldly stated, the exact opposite of Cosette's reaction.
"You jerk! You gonna be like this all the time?" Avan remarked.
"Break it up, you two. That's enough." Corrin interjected.
"I don't need to be told what to do by someone like-" Zeri was about to say, before his eyes came upon Isara, as those words died in his mouth. "...It can't be..."
"You're Isara Gunther, the adopted sister of the famous leader of Squad 7, Welkin Gunther, and the driver of the invincible tank, Edelweiss!" Cosette exclaimed. "You're a heroine like your brother and Alicia Melchiott, as well as all the other officers and members of the squad!"
"That's right." Isara smiled back. "Although I'm no longer militia, or a military person, due to obvious reasons. Right now, I'm just simply a student of this academy like the rest of you. Please don't let my prior fame change how you act towards me, I prefer honest people."
"I see... It's a honour to have you here, Cor- no, Isara." Zeri answered back, trying his best to stay calm. "I don't know why you would enrol here, when you're already far beyond the curriculum here. and have the qualities to become a officer by merit and talent alone."
"Well, it's both because I prefer to be sure of my qualifications, and that it's a personal request from someone that you'll know soon enough." Isara stated.
"Woah, and here I thought, this wouldn't be any more crazier! Glad to meet you, Isara! If you're a war hero like your brother, then you have a special place in my heart!" Avan greeted her, before turning to Corrin. "Never thought that you would have such famous company, Karin."
"We're recently friends." Karin stated. "That's all."
Cosette then noticed Elma, who was meekly staying out of conversation, as the peppy blonde girl approached the young demoness in disguise.
"Hi! My name is Cosette!" Cosette introduced herself. "I noticed that you were a little quiet there. Is there something wrong?"
"When you said that you were going to be a doctor... I felt that you wanted the same thing as I do." Elma answered back. "I... I want to help others like you."
"Then I'd be happy to have like-minded company like you." Cosette smiled. "What's your name?"
"Elma. Elma Delacour." Elma answered back briefly.
"What's your aptitude then?" Cosette asked back. "We might be in the same class together!"
"They told me that I'm a engineer as well." Elma stated back. "From what I heard... Engineers help the most out of all of the soldier roles. And I'm glad to become one."
"Don't worry, I'm sure that you'll make a good one." Colette cheerfully stated.
"Oh, that's right, what did you two get?" Avan asked Isara and Corrin.
"Armored Tech. Fits me, considering my expertise." Isara answered back.
"Same here, but for much different reasons. I just simply have a melee expertise useful for the offensive capabilities of the role." Corrin said as well.
"I suppose that there is no reason for me to remain here. I'll need to head to the headmaster's office to get my class placement." Zeri stated. "I hope to see you again, Isara. As for the rest of you... not so much."
Zeri then left the room, as Avan growled at his parting words.
"What's that kid's problem? Thinks he's so special because he got glasses?" Avan complained.
"I doubt it's that." Isara answered back. "I noted that he's a Darcsen like me. Although that's no excuse if his behaviour is stand-offish and rude."
"Wait, you're a Darcsen?" Avan remarked with surprise, to which Isara sighed in disappointment and frustration, and left the venue, before another word could be said.
"Well... I don't think that made her happy. We'll be going with her. Hopefully, you'll figure out what was wrong with what you said." Corrin stated, before she then guided Elma to follow after her, as they left as well, leaving behind a baffled Avan, and a silent Cosette.
Inside the headmaster's office...
Richard waited behind Kluivert, who was sifting through the large pile of documents that contained the results of all of the applicants for the entrance exams, fairly silent while looking through them.
"So... How did our recommendations go, Headmaster?" Richard asked back. "I doubt that they failed, since I don't see them amongst the hopeless crowd of failed applicants."
Kluivert then sighed deeply, before then turning to Richard with a fairly stoic expression.
"To be frank, I'm actually surprised that, for all of the grades they have received in the written exam, their field exam results barely passed them." Kluivert answered back with a slightly disappointed tone. "I suppose that it attributes to the fact that their team was made to be defensive, to a ridiculous extent. A pass is a pass regardless, but it has landed them quite low on their aptitude rankings. They've been placed in Class G-7, one of the classes where the least... talented of the passed applicants are sorted into. Still, as much as I wouldn't want to place a former war hero inside such a class... If she has not went up to complain about it... I suppose there is no problem about it."
"I see." Richard stated stoically.
"Now then... I would like to ask if you would teach one of the A-classes-" Kluivert was about to offer Richard, before he then raised a finger.
"And before you finish that question, I'll have to turn it down. Instead... You say that Class G-7 is where our recommendations went?" Richard stated. "I'll make a request. Let me and all the others be assigned as proper instructors and teachers to this class alone."
"Why the sudden request? You would turn down teaching a bunch of talented students, for a class of educational rejects or socially or academically-challenged students...?" Kluivert asked back, surprised at Richard's choice.
"Well, I did a bit of looking into the results of the specific students enrolled inside of the class." Richard answered back, crossing his arms. "All I can say is that I have a hunch that these students, or rejects that you believe they are... They're like unpolished diamonds under heavy layers of rock. All it takes is the right people to bring out their true talent. After all, the talent-less sometimes has potential to put those with great talent to shame. I can say this wholeheartedly from experience, Headmaster."
"...If that is what you believe." Kluivert relented, slightly sullen that Richard turned down the chance to teach one of the better classes.
"I didn't come here to solidify talent, Headmaster." Richard responded back. "Much like Calvaro has done with me before... I work to ease out the potential that lies within one's inner self. That is how you get more good soldiers, Headmaster. Trying to teach the talented is a task with much less possible return compared to what I'm doing."
"I'll be sure that your request is fulfilled them. Now then, please leave me be, I'll need to do some more class sorting myself." Kluivert answered back.
Richard gently nodded his head, before he then left the room, allowing the headmaster to return to his work.
Outside Class G-7...
Isara, Corrin and Elma managed to make their way to the classroom, as they were well-aware of where their classes were held, and they all noticed that the door was open, indicating that most of the class was already present inside of the room.
"Seems like this is the class we were placed into..." Corrin remarked. "I wonder what kind of people we'll be learning together with."
"I wonder the same, Karin." Isara responded back. "I hope that what I told Avan would be the same for everyone. I just simply want to be recognised as a student, not as a Darcsen to be discriminated against, nor a veteran engineer for others to idolise or worship."
"I'm sure that everything will be alright, Isara... Karin..." Elma smiled back. "This place seems to feel quite welcoming. I'm sure that the people here aren't too terrible."
As they were about to enter, they heard the sound of rushing footsteps, as they turned around to the source, and found that it was Avan frantically sprinting down the hallway towards the classroom. When he noticed the trio by the door, he tried to skid himself to a halt, although the forward momentum he had slid him towards them. Corrin dodged out of the way, and Isara quickly stepped out of the way also. Elma was the unlucky one, as she couldn't react it time, and was tackled down by Avan, as both of them fell onto the ground, the orange-haired boy on top of the silver-haired demoness.
"Ow..." Avan winced, before he then noticed Elma, who was pinned under him, as his expression turned to horror. "Oh no! Are you alright there? Did I hurt you!?"
"Ouch..." Elma groaned, before Avan was lifted back up by Corrin, who looked fairly unpleased with him, as Elma stood back up as well. "It hurt a little, but I'm otherwise fine, Avan. It's okay..."
"Not for me." Corrin stated. "Avan, what were you thinking, running down these hallways like that? You could have hurt her badly with your reckless actions!"
"I'm sorry, okay! I didn't mean to rush, but I ended up getting lost mid-way, so I had to wing it to here!" Avan apologised hastily. "Look, I promise that it won't happen again. I'll look where I'm running next time."
"I hope you will." Corrin answered back, releasing her grip on Avan.
Soon, Cosette arrived by the door as well, as she looked quite winded, and unlike Avan, she was at a pace at which she could safely stop herself. She then bent over and panted heavily from exhaustion. "Made it...!" She panted, as the school bells rang in harmony, indicating that the first period of classes was now occurring.
"Cosette?" Elma asked back, surprised to see the blonde-haired girl here, who raised her head and chuckled lightly.
"What are you doing here?" Avan asked as well.
"Well, I woke up early, so I wouldn't have to rush, then ate a good breakfast." Cosette recounted. "But then I was so full, I kind of nodded off. I got here just under the wire."
"Well, you just got here in time, from the sound of these class bells." Corrin answered back. "Come in with us, we'll introduce ourselves together."
The five of them entered the room, as they caught sight of the various classmates, who were fooling around in their own way, not paying much attention to the rest of the group. The only one who did, was Zeri, who took one of the front seats, as he moved out of it, and walked towards them.
"What are you all doing here?" Zeri asked back, before eyeing Isara.
"Oh hey, it's Zeri. What do you mean what are we doing here? We got put in class G-7." Avan answered back amicably.
"What!? Ungh, of course I HAD to be placed with you, considering that I was in the same team for the field exam as you." Zeri sighed in disappointment. "Well, I seek solace in the fact that there is another Darcsen here who I can sympathise and relate to."
"I'm glad to see that you're happy to socialise with me." Isara answered back with a friendly smile, before it made way to a deep frown. "However, before we start doing that, I would like to address something about you-"
"Oh, wow! Yay! We're all together in this class! Let's become good friends." Cosette cheerfully declared, as Elma nodded, her words interrupting Isara, who stopped talking, and sighed gently.
Before they could talk more, someone else strode into the classroom, looking like she didn't belong in the class. It was a young woman with long flowing pink hair, with side-braids, sharp blue eyes and sapphire earrings. She looked around, before she then noticed Avan's group, and approached them.
"So this is Class G-7, hm? As expected for a group of barely passable students." She spoke in a fairly condescending tone, which caught the attention of the group, as they all turned to her, as her attention turned to them as well. "Mm? Identify yourselves."
"Me? I'm Avan Hardins. I'm in Class G-7, starting today!" Avan introduced himself quite energetically.
"Hardins, hm?" The pink haired girl remarked, placing a hand under her chin for a moment. "I suppose that you are someone quite interesting, although I wouldn't put it into words how, yet."
"Then who are you?" Corrin asked back.
"I am Juliana Everhart, class chair of Class A, the finest class of Lanseal." Juliana introduced herself with pride, crossing a arm over her chest. "Your class is a landfill for those with abysmal entrance scores. To say you passed is a miracle on itself."
"That's not true." Isara countered. "I managed to receive a very high grade on the written portion of the exams, and both Karin and Elma didn't do much worse than me. Such scores would not be abysmal, under any circumstances."
"And yet your field exam scores would have to be barely passable for you to be placed into this class." Juliana answered back, looking no less confident. "I'll concede that you're a talented individual, Isara Gunther, as fitting for the sister of the legendary Welkin Gunther. However, you are not used to combat as others like me have. I'll say this at least: I feel sorry for you, that you have been thrown into such a class, with shining talent, because of this."
"Hey, what's your deal!?" Avan exclaimed, offended by the statement.
"It's the truth. If you wish to prove me otherwise, then I'll give you the chance to prove yourself. Perhaps I might be wrong, and your initial impressions are merely a facade to the talent that your future selves have." Juliana answered back. "What's more, you lack a class chair. If you want to be taken seriously by the other classes, then I suggest you start with that. Cast it to a vote or use whatever means to decide one. I'll be watching them, and seeing how they'll guide their class. I expect to be disappointed, considering the average talent in this class."
Cosette looked fairly irritated, while Corrin looked back at her with slight disdain. Juliana then turned to leave, as she didn't seem to be interested in speaking with them anymore.
"I'll see how far this class of rejects will go." Juliana stated her parting words, opening the door. "If you believe that you are better, then when the Laevatein Cup comes... Prove it."
She then closed the door, as the group turned back to each other.
"Well, she's a little haughty, but at least she didn't go too far with her words." Isara stated. "What's more, she didn't seem to care much about me being Darcsen or not. I guess that's a good point to her?"
"Hmph. I bet that's only because of your status, Isara." Zeri added. "She would not feel the same about me, if I were the one talking. Although the talk that you had exceptional grades for the written exams... Was that true?"
"Does having high distinction leave any doubts?" Isara retorted back with crossed eyes and creased eye-brows.
"True." Zeri relented. "Still, that leaves who will be class chair..."
"Hm... Who indeed..." Cosette muttered to herself.
Soon, Brixham, Richard, Sanae, Reisen, Gus and Marisa entered the room, all dressed in proper uniform, as the last one to pass through, Marisa, shut the door behind them.
"All right, it seems that everyone is here." Brixham stated. "Let's begin today's lesson, shall we?"
"Heh, never thought I'd wind up in your class." Avan chuckled lightly at Brixham.
"I'm as surprised as you are. To see you actually matriculated, even." Brixham answered back coolly. "Now then, since we've got our new arrivals bunched up, I'd like to introduce a few new students... And our new instructors. Let's start with the students. Line up, you six."
The six of them lined up next to each other, for the entire class to see, as their attention was focused on them.
"This is Avan, Cosette, Zeri, Isara, Karin and Elma." Brixham introduced them one by one, as some of the classmates were surprised at hearing Isara's name among the newcomers.
"Avan Hardin, guys. My hobbies include sleeping and eating!" Avan exclaimed, before pointing at himself. "I'm glad to be here, and I'm sure we'll all get on great."
"It's also worth mentioning that Avan here is Leon Hardin's younger brother." Brixham added.
"The Scarlet Lion's brother has enlisted...?" One of the classmates, a girlish looking boy with long silver hair with side-braids, and blue eyes, stated.
"Now that you mention it, I can see the resemblance." Another one of the students remarked, as it was a female with black hair with cow-licks and a blue beret.
"What, you all knew him!?" Avan shouted in excitement at the mention of his brother.
"Leon was an exceptionally gifted cadet, making him something of an celebrity." Brixham answered back. "Let's return to your introductions. Cosette?"
"I'm Cosette Coalhearth. My hobby is sewing, I guess? Anyways, hi!" Cosette cheerfully stated, waving at the class.
"I'm Zeri." Zeri stoically stated after Cosette.
"Hey, whoa, is that a Darcsen? What's up with that?" A classmate with blonde hair and black eyes, wearing a woollen blue beanie on his head, remarked.
"Oof. I don't want anyone bringing misfortune down on us here, dude." Another classmate complained, this one a small girl with brown hair tied into long twin-tails with white fluffy muffs, brown eyes with a set of glasses over them, before she then noticed Isara. "Wait, is that who I think it is...!?"
"My name is Isara Gunther, adopted younger sister of Welkin Gunther." Isara humbly introduced herself, before she smiled. "I hope that you won't be overwhelmed by my fame as a member of the famous Squad 7 previously, and regard me as a friendly student for you."
"You know what, I guess that Isara can be a good exception to this one!" The same girl remarked with a eager look on her face. "Oh, it'll be a day on the fields, and all the other classes will be jealous when they learn that we got a living legend in our class!"
"Isara...!?" Another one of the classmates remarked, as it was a familiar girl with dark brown hair and brown eyes, as her hair was styled into a ponytail, yet the resemblance was clear. "I... I'm so fortunate to see you again, Isara...!"
"...Wait... Aisha!?" Isara exclaimed, as Richard turned to the girl, before his expression turned into one of shock, when he realised that he was looking at a Aisha that was about 2 years older than he once saw her before as.
"You remember!" Aisha exclaimed with joy. "And Rain's back as well, along with his friends! This is brilliant!"
"You can save your reunion later, as much as it must be to great relief." Brixham interrupted them both. "Karin, if you will."
"As you wish, Mr Brixham." Corrin answered back. "My name is Karin Novengar. I enrolled here to help become a soldier for the nation. But that doesn't mean that it's not a pleasure to meet all of you. I hope that we can get to know each other soon enough."
"I... I'm Elma Delacour." Elma answered back with slight timidness. "I hope that we can become good friends. I promise that I'll do everything to help you all."
"She seems... quite like me." One of the classmates, a girl with long flowing and fluffy dark blue hair, and wearing the tell-tale markings of a Darcsen, stated. "She can be... my friend if she wants."
"Right then, the introductions for the students are done." Brixham stated, before he turned to Richard. "Rain, if you will."
"As you wish, Brixham." Richard answered back, before he then took his place behind the teacher's desk, and gestured for his friends to stand by his sides. "Alright then, I suppose that I'll start with this. How many of you somewhat know things from the war against the Empire two years ago?"
A fairly large amount of hands raised, before Richard then nodded and grinned. "Good, then I suppose that some of you are able to deduce who I am." He stated. "If not, then allow me to jog your memories a little, if you have heard this before. My name is Rain Craider, legendary stormtrooper of the militia squad, Squad 7 of the Third Militia Regiment. I am also one of the reasons why more than half of the applicants were cut down into failure by the field exams."
The class were surprised to hear that, as they murmured against each other, as Richard then crossed his arms. "However, who I was, does not truly matter. I am merely a instructor. However, with the experience that I and the others have absorbed through the countless battles in the war... I will promise you one thing for you all." Richard answered back, before he then slapped both of his hands on the table harshly, as the sound startled the class. "For this entire year, you will all either come to respect me, fear me, or look up to me. Because me and the others, will be your class instructors, and you will be educated most thoroughly by us. It will be a gruelling and painful experience, but by the end of it, you will all become hardened soldiers for war, or you will be qualified to become proper officers or army personnel. That much I promise you, and I will see to it with everything I have."
He then gestured around him. "For now, we'll start by naming what we'll be teaching." Richard continued. "For example, I'll be the instructor for the stormtroopers. I also take the role of being the instructors for the offensive roles of the armored troops, since you'll all need to learn how to fight with warpick and shield in a gun-dominated battlefield. I also may teach in some minor areas, or act as a substitute in some occasions, as we all will."
"My name is Gus Teller. I will be the instructor for the scouts." Gus introduced himself. "Forgive Rain for his harsh behaviour, but he is right when we'll all make you great soldiers under our tutelage. I hope that you will all benefit greatly from our teachings, and pursue a military career when you finally graduate from here."
"Name's Mari Shine, and I'm going to be teaching all you lancers how to blow stuff up, and how to make the best of your armour and weapons!" Marisa exclaimed with a grin. "Unlike all the others, I'm a bit of a thrill-seeker and a fun-lover, so if you want to go nuts, then I'll make sure you'll have your chances to do so, so long as it doesn't get all of us in trouble."
"My name is Remi Keppler." Reisen stated back stoically. "Normally, I would be training any snipers. But then I heard about the reformation between the army roles of the Gallian army. Henceforth, I will take a secondary role of doing battlefield tactics lessons, and also taking the role of physical educations teacher. I will treat you all no less stricter than Rain will, so I expect you all to do your best to learn. The battlefield is a cruel place where mistakes puts one's life under risk."
"I am Sally Westgale. Even with the reformation of the army, I still will teach engineers in their roles. However, at the same time, I'll be teaching the more technical aspects of armoured techs, which include disarming mines and constructing items for the battlefield." Sanae finally introduced herself, before she then bowed gently. "I hope that you'll all welcome me nicely here."
"With that, our introductions are done. You'll be seeing us quite soon." Richard answered back. "I wish you all well on your studies, whoever you might be. And there is one more additional thing that I might add. As per the decision between Brixham and I, the decision is that Avan Hardins is to take the role of class chair."
"Wait, you seriously want me to do it? You think I can?" Avan asked back with interest, while the rest of the class had varied reactions to this announcement.
"Considering that you're a jack-of-all-trades for all combat roles, and you have some of the leadership that proves you as the younger brother of the Scarlet Lion... You're the most fitting candidate." Richard answered back, before he then turned to the rest of the class. "If you like to object to this, then state your opinions now, or hold your silence and show that you have little complaint with this choice. Before you all start, here is my reasoning: Being jack-of-all-trades means that Avan equally values each and every combat role, which negates bias for how he will organise and outfit each and every one of you, regardless of your combat role, and it'll prove useful in his manners of commanding over you all in the battles to come. If you see a flaw in my arguments, please point it out and explain why."
There was only silence, as Richard waited for a while, and then accepted the outcome. "Right. I suppose that you're all receptive of this choice then." Richard said. "Avan... as stated before, you will be responsible for your students. Don't squander this privilege. Since you will be leading for your class in society and in battle, you'll be subject to extra sessions of Reisen's tactical lessons. You cannot prove to be a defective leader on the battlefield, or your men will die."
"Well, all right! You make it sound hard. I'll push through it, and prove you wrong!" Avan remarked with a determined tone.
"I hope you'll keep that determined attitude of yours, Avan." Richard answered back, before he and the others filed out of the room. "Alright then, Brixham, you may officially begin your lesson."
"Alright. Class, get out of your books." Brixham stated, as the class did so, ready to begin classes.